...the same fellow that's in painting 156, but I painted this version with a palette knife and very thick acrylic. The painting was too large for the scanner (16x20), so I photographed it. Unfortunately, it was a grey day and the photo is way too dark, not doing the painting justice. I need to rephotograph it when the sun returns....

Painting 154, Common Yellowthroat Hiding Along the Little Miami River

(Watercolor underpainting covered in oil pastel)

(the original Common Yellowthroat watercolor painting)

The original watercolor didn't have enough life in it for me, so I gave in and smeared color all over it, losing the leaves in the process...

17 comments:

I think you should count Painting 154 as two paintings! I like both versions, but I am partial to your watercolors, so I am just a little sad that you covered up the watercolors. I do like how you are experimenting with different mediums and how you've allowed yourself the freedom to let your muse take over and see where it leads you.

I like all of these--the color, the poses. I think the two yellow throats are my favorites. The original might be warmer or more dramatic with the green, but your revision looks more perfected, like something in a bird book, a text. I don't know how you're supposed to choose . . . an embarrassment of riches. Same old story at this place. Yawn. :)

Hi Kelly ...I'm sure you have heard the saying "I can't even draw water" or maybe not ,but thats me!!Anyway..you do such a great job with your art, and I like the way you express yourself with it...I likethem all,but have my picks being the first and last...lovely!!Hope its not raining there ...we are on our 3rd day with temp at 55 to 60...isn't this summer???

My Camera and Lenses

I hand hold the camera for all my photos (I used to use a monopod or tripod for distance and macro, but the VR lenses don't seem to require it). I crop the images down in Aperture (I'm a Mac).

The Story Behind "Red and the Peanut"

Red and the Peanut is named after my first bird memory. When I was about six, I was at my Great Aunt Mary's house and she was telling me about Red and the peanut. "Red" was a Northern Cardinal that had trained Aunt Mary to feed it peanuts on demand. Since Aunt Mary's "Red" started it all, what better name could I choose?